Those who give thanks to God and walk uprightly enjoy the gift of His salvation.
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” (v.23)
Psalm 50 is attributed to Asaph, a Levite who served as the chief musician in the days of King David around 1000 BC, and who oversaw a tradition of temple worshipers sometimes referred to as the “sons of Asaph”. Here in verse 23, Asaph concludes the psalm with a powerful principle: God is not interested in empty religious rituals but in authentic worship that stems from a heart filled with gratitude. When the psalmist says “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me” (v.23), it shows that recognizing God’s goodness and giving Him praise is the true offering that pleases Him. This emphasis echoes the broader biblical teaching that God does not rely on our gifts (Psalm 50:12), but desires our sincere devotion and dependence upon Him.
Asaph also highlights God’s promise in the second half of the verse: “And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” (v.23). This calls worshipers to live righteously, trusting that the LORD reveals His deliverance to those who walk faithfully before Him. It is a reminder that thanksgiving and obedience go hand in hand. In earlier portions of this psalm, worshipers were invited to “call on” God and to honor Him (Psalm 50:15), showing that genuine acknowledgment of His power, rather than self-sufficiency, is what leads to rescue in times of need. Here in verse 23, the psalm gives a final assurance that those who commit to the right path will experience the fullness of God’s salvation.
This verse ultimately teaches that a spirit of gratitude, in tandem with living faithfully, magnifies the name of God and draws His blessing of deliverance.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 50:23 meaning
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” (v.23)
Psalm 50 is attributed to Asaph, a Levite who served as the chief musician in the days of King David around 1000 BC, and who oversaw a tradition of temple worshipers sometimes referred to as the “sons of Asaph”. Here in verse 23, Asaph concludes the psalm with a powerful principle: God is not interested in empty religious rituals but in authentic worship that stems from a heart filled with gratitude. When the psalmist says “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me” (v.23), it shows that recognizing God’s goodness and giving Him praise is the true offering that pleases Him. This emphasis echoes the broader biblical teaching that God does not rely on our gifts (Psalm 50:12), but desires our sincere devotion and dependence upon Him.
Asaph also highlights God’s promise in the second half of the verse: “And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” (v.23). This calls worshipers to live righteously, trusting that the LORD reveals His deliverance to those who walk faithfully before Him. It is a reminder that thanksgiving and obedience go hand in hand. In earlier portions of this psalm, worshipers were invited to “call on” God and to honor Him (Psalm 50:15), showing that genuine acknowledgment of His power, rather than self-sufficiency, is what leads to rescue in times of need. Here in verse 23, the psalm gives a final assurance that those who commit to the right path will experience the fullness of God’s salvation.
This verse ultimately teaches that a spirit of gratitude, in tandem with living faithfully, magnifies the name of God and draws His blessing of deliverance.